The Virus and (Virtual) Reality
In the world before…(it’s like once upon a time, but this isn’t a fairy tale)
In the world before–I sort of remember–my ministry was pretty simple but never boring. That is one of my favorite things about ministry is that there is a cycle of the year, a flow and rhythm to the week–worship, studies, meetings–things you might expect.There are also moments of sorrow and joy thrown in to mix things up. Some weeks might even hold the occasional moment of conflict or drama or excitement to keep you on your toes and not too complacent. I would speak to people in person and on the telephone as needed.
This is all in the world before.
My life, my schedule, my equilibrium has shifted–just like everyone’s–and I feel off-balance. I feel the emotional equivalent of slipping and falling and flailing around trying to find something to grasp onto before you hit the floor. Yep. That’s it. A ten-week slip and fall. Ten-weeks of flailing, and getting a grip only to slip again. Can anyone else relate? This constant sense of imbalance is messing with me spiritually and physically, as well as emotionally. It’s like a bad Twilight Zone, but it is lasting a whole lot longer than the allotted 30-minute time slot.
In the midst of all of this, I have been taking a real-life, crash course in virtual churching. Worship online, Zoom studies and meetings, pastoral care and social distancing, and the abundance of tech issues! Adding to this is the pressure to open, to stay closed, and all the considerations for either choice. I can honestly say, I not only didn’t learn any of this in seminary, but never in my wildest imagination (and it is pretty expansive), did I anticipate this was the way church would turn out after twenty years. I thought flying cars would come first. I never imagined the huge chasm in U.S. society and ideology. I never imagined what the virus would bring to our reality of doing and being the church.
No one did, I’m sure.
This is why kindness is a choice that needs to be made. We must choose to value people, the sanctity of life, over anything. We must love God above all. We must be on our best behavior. The world is watching, and they are seeing some ugly things coming from people who claim our faith. It is embarrassing and frustrating. Yet, we cannot control anyone other than ourselves. I think people feel if they cannot control others, then why control ourselves. Because. Because Jesus said so. Because that is what we claim when we claim the name of Christ. Because
It isn’t difficult. If “love because we were first loved by Christ”, or “love God and love your neighbor as yourself” are too many words to remember. Just remember two.
Be kind.
Not sort of kind. Or kind enough. This is the over and above, cherry on top kindness. Do this. Then the church will not need to worry about whether the building is open or closed because the church will be being the church in the world–like we were always meant to do.